When it comes to college football rivalries, Michigan and Ohio State might just have the most storied and heated competition of them all. But the tension between these two titans isn’t restricted to just the gridiron. The recruiting battles between them often mirror their on-field clashes, with Michigan frequently dipping into Ohio’s rich pool of talent. It’s well-known that some of Michigan’s football legends, like Heisman winners Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson, were originally from Ohio. Even the iconic Michigan coach Bo Schembechler hailed from Ohio, showing that while Michigan fans might not have a fondness for the Buckeyes, they certainly have a knack for attracting Ohio-bred talent.
A prime example of this is former Michigan tight end Jake Butt. Despite growing up in Ohio with a love for the Buckeyes, Butt found a home at Michigan after Ohio State showed little interest during his recruiting process. Recently, on the Big Ten Network, Butt opened up about how he transformed from a Buckeye fanboy to a Wolverine standout.
In his candid recount, Butt revealed, “I grew up a Buckeye fan, actually. My best friend growing up was a Michigan fan, and we used to fight and argue. So I always thought, you know, I was going to go to Ohio State. As scholarships start pouring in, I’m 15 minutes from Ohio State’s campus… they literally showed no interest.”
Taking matters into his own hands, Butt made some creative moves to coax attention from Ohio State. “I used to knock on people’s doors in high school and mow lawns. I was mowing Tim Hinton’s lawn, who was the Ohio State tight ends coach. I’m still in my practice gear. Their director of recruiting was Greg Gillum. I went from kindergarten all the way through high school with his son, Tanner Gillum. He came and spoke to my class in fifth grade for career day. I wrote him a ‘thank you’ letter, and said, ‘Dear Mr. Gillum, I now know what I want to do, I want to be a football player.’”
Yet, despite his efforts, an offer from the Buckeyes never came. With prospects looking brighter elsewhere, Butt found himself up north in Ann Arbor for a visit, and that’s where things clicked.
“So they never offered me. And I took the road less traveled up to Ann Arbor. First ever game was Notre Dame vs Michigan under the lights, Denard Robinson to Roy Roundtree. I was like, ‘wow, this place is freaking special, you know?’”
Choosing Michigan turned out to be a defining decision. Butt carved out an illustrious college career, setting Michigan records for receiving yards and receptions by a tight end, earning All-Big Ten first-team honors, and being named a first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. His trophy cabinet also includes the prestigious John Mackey Award for the nation’s top collegiate tight end.
But as fate would have it, Butt’s promising future took an unexpected turn. An ACL tear during the 2016 Orange Bowl against Florida State hurt his draft stock, dropping him to a 5th round selection by the Denver Broncos despite projections as a 2nd round pick. Though his talent was ample, Butt’s NFL career never fully took flight, and after a stint with the Chicago Bears in 2021, he decided to hang up his cleats.
Jake Butt’s journey from Ohio State hopeful to Michigan legend is a testament to his resilience and adaptability, painting a vivid picture of how unpredictable and thrilling the college football landscape can be.
